5610 Dorchester St., Chicago, Illinois Dear Ted; I've been having fun with this cute dodge lately. It's probably original. You notice someone's fountain pen, or automatic pencil. Ask to see it. Take it -- saying, "Nice looking," and nonchalantly appear to clip it inside your coat's inner pocket. He, the owner, naturally is going to protest. And you suddenly produce the pen or pencil from behind his neck with your right hand, remarking, "What are you getting worried about?" A man's inside coat pocket is on his right side and approached with his left hand. You have the pen in…
Dear Ted; The season has resulted in too much work for reply to that gentleman with the deep voice, ten gallon hat, and long hair, from Trinidad, Colorado, who raises tombstones. What does he mean by playing poker the hard way? (Jinx #111) Our trick in issue #102 was on the up and up, partner, for I've played poker "from the rock bound coast of Maine to the golden sands of California" and I've found 'em as soft in the far west as they are in the near east. Mrs. Lyle's little boy Artie isn't lame. As for our friend…
We beg to attempt a quotation remembered somewhat from an English magician. It fits this situation very well. This prestidigitatorial pundit mouthed the words, "'Tis better to have tried and dropped a ball, than never to have palmed at all." There is no wreath nor piece of crepe on our door today, despite the death (or suspended animation ? Ed.) of a wish that has been nibbling on our framework since the day when we heard of "Doc" A. M. Wilson's demise, and, out of sorrow, came the thought that we, not quite "dry behind the ears" professionally but well…
The letter which follows has been mailed to stockholders in The Sphinx Corporation. It speaks for itself. October 4, 1940 Dear --------; I wish to interest myself in The Sphinx Corporation to an extent which will provide me with not less than 51% of all outstanding shares. For all such shares as have been issued by that corporation I am prepared to pay four thousand dollars ($4000.00) cash. For not less than 51% of all shares issued to date I will pay pro rata for the transfer of such shares to my name. I understand that you are a stockholder…
Dear Ted: To me, life begins around a poker table. Personally I wouldn't bet a dime on a horse and I'm scared to death of a pair of dice, but on the turn of a card you can take my shirt. Speaking of shirts, I'd take yours, too, in a poker game, although I might give it back to you. You're not the worst fellow in the world. This mania that possesses me has taken me into many strange places and I have rubbed elbows around gaming tables with about every nationality on the face of the earth; red, white,…
Feb. 27, 1939 Dear Ted; 'Way back when The Jinx was a toddler in knee pants I remember you wanted subscribers to send in their little problems in the hope that, two heads being better than one, a solution could be reached. Since then I have run into something. A stone wall ! Possibly you can help me. Effect: Magi shows a cardboard container with no top, to all appearances unprepared. Inside is a small bulb which is hooked up to regular house current. A piece of red tissue paper is placed over the mouth of the container and held…
October 15, 1936 Dear Annemann; It is night and I am at home. Charles Miller, in my opinion the most skilled card man I have ever seen, just left. I have done all the work on the Genii it is possible to do, thus far. Tomorrow is an easy day, all my friends are sobering up, and I, alone, remain awake to curse the heat of a tropical evening and answer your letter with the first of the combinations I promised. It is all taken from the Summer 1935 Extra, and has been successfully performed, not only before lay audiences,…
In the learned legal opinion of a noted attorney, who is also a member of both the I.B.M. and S.A.M. and should therefore understand the magical significance as well as the legal angle, the unprincipled attack appearing in a 25 cents publication folder constitutes what attorneys call a "perfect case" of libel by innuendo. We gave the young man an opportunity to make amends, and it appeared in his next issue that he was about to do so. The second following issue of the "STINX" continued the attacks. We have no choice but to immediately proceed with our suit for…